Page 64 of Fueled Hate

Kyle leans to the side, spewing obscenities in Sadie’s direction as I counter his move. “Talk to me if you have a fucking problem.”

Andrew attempts to shove Kyle back, but he throws his hands up, a small crowd gathering to see what the commotion is about. “You. You’re my problem. You had no fucking right to go see my father.”

I recognize Sadie’s sharp intake of breath. She’s about to have another reason to hate me. But I’d done it for her.

Her hands grip my arm, trying to get me to look at her. “What is he talking about?”

Kyle’s spiteful laugh confirms he’s well aware he’s holding a grenade that threatens to destroy what little progress I have built with Sadie.

“Oh, you don’t know. How motherfucking perfect is that?” Kyle maliciously cackles, stepping closer.

“Dylan …” Sadie’s pained voice cuts through me as her hand clings to my bicep.

I can’t give her an answer that will make her feel better. And I don’t have to worry about explaining as Kyle begins speaking.

“Pretty boy here paid off my dad.”

Her fingers dig into my skin as she looks between me and Kyle, my eyes dropping to hers.

“I had to.”

“Why would you do that?” Blinking rapidly, she stands there, waiting for me to explain, but there’s nothing to say. It’s already done. Boone wasn’t gracious in the least about accepting my offer, or more like demand. Regardless, I paid that prick back every cent of tuition he’d spent on Sadie’s behalf. I’d be damned if she was indebted to that family.

“Let’s go,” Andrew says, attempting to be the voice of reason, but Kyle doesn’t budge.

Willow steps between Kyle and me as she yells, hollering at Kyle and Andrew to leave.

Sadie remains frozen in place, staring at me like she’s seeing right through me. At least that’s how it feels.

Willow shouts at Andrew, “Get the hell out of here and take him with you.”

“What the fuck you think I’ve been trying to do?” Andrew roars, throwing his hands up in frustration as Kyle breaks away, barreling towards me.

Lunging for him, I swing my fist, connecting with his jaw, the pain in my hand already relieving the pain of Sadie’s heartbroken expression.

Kyle moves to swing but I anticipate it, dodging his knuckles as I slam my fist into his gut. Sadie’s no longer in my mind as my blows continue to pummel whatever flesh I can strike. All I see is Noah until powerful arms pin me, hauling me back. Trying to take a breath, my eyes fixate on Kyle lying on the pavement, blood oozing out of his nose or mouth, there’s too much to tell exactly where it’s coming from. Only it’s not Kyle I see but Noah—my little brother lying bloody, bruised, and defenseless on the ground. I fight against the hold restraining me.

Sadie’s faint pleas begging me to stop register in the back of my mind, but I can’t. I know Kyle did it. I know he is the one responsible for Noah’s death, not me.

“Calm down, man!” Parker yells from behind me as I watch Andrew bend down, reaching over as Kyle comes back into focus. Kyle swats at his hand, rolling onto all fours as he coughs.

Tensing, I attempt to move forward, wanting nothing more than to sink my foot into his face, but Parker keeps a hold on me. “Dylan, that’s enough. You’re gonna fucking kill him.”

“I should.” And in that moment, I want to. The agony he’s caused everyone I care about should be inflicted on him tenfold.

Willow steps in front of me, shoving me back. “Dylan, let’s go.”

Turning to head to my car, I spot Sadie. She’s frozen in place, tears streaming down her face. I move to reach for her but stop when I spot my bloodstained knuckles. I can’t touch her. I’m only going to tarnish her, break her.

Quickly turning, she runs off, slipping into the passenger seat of Willow’s nearby car.

Hiding—Sadie is hiding from me.

35

Sadie

“Sadie, say something,” Willow pleads.